Decorating
Must-Know Chair: The Egg
Is there a more recognisable chair than Arne Jacobsen's Egg chair? Here's the scoop on its creation and ways it's still loved in homes today
The Egg chair will go down in the history of design as one of the most recognisable chairs in the modern world. Designed in 1958, the Egg chair has proven to be timeless and yet still commands the centre of attention in any room.
Like all exemplary Scandinavian design, it combines comfort, functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony. Its curvaceous, bulbous, scooping form almost envelopes the sitter, creating a womb-like feel. Here’s what to know about the history, use and style of this iconic chair.
Like all exemplary Scandinavian design, it combines comfort, functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony. Its curvaceous, bulbous, scooping form almost envelopes the sitter, creating a womb-like feel. Here’s what to know about the history, use and style of this iconic chair.
In 1956, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System) commissioned Jacobsen to design the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen. In typical Jacobsen style, he put his theories of integrated design and architecture into practice and designed every element of the building: from its structure and facade to the doorknobs, ceramic ashtrays and stainless steel cutlery. For it, he also created the famous Egg and Swan chairs.
THE CHAIR
The Egg first appeared in the reception areas of the Royal Hotel. With an organically shaped, upholstered seat on a slender metal base, the Egg’s sculptural form was in strong contrast to the building’s rectilinear lines and surfaces.
The Egg first appeared in the reception areas of the Royal Hotel. With an organically shaped, upholstered seat on a slender metal base, the Egg’s sculptural form was in strong contrast to the building’s rectilinear lines and surfaces.
Jacobsen used state-of-the-art materials and pioneered new manufacturing techniques. He first perfected the shape by sculpting the Egg out of clay in his garage, which he then moulded out of a strong foam inner shell under the upholstery.
Danish furniture design company Republic of Fritz Hansen put the Egg chair into production using polyurethane foam with glass fibre reinforcement and a steel base. The chair became available in leather, fabric or canvas; with or without a footstool; and with a tilt fitting that could be adjusted to the weight of the individual user. Jacobsen also designed the Egg as a couch, although only a handful have ever been made.
THE TREND
Jacobsen is known for designs that brought futuristic visions into a present-day context. His chair embodies the principles of Danish design, which is visually simple, functional and comfortable. Despite its clarity and minimalism, Danish furniture radiates a welcoming warmth through natural materials and organic forms.
The Egg chair also precedes 1960s furniture, which became even more sculptural. It facilitated different ways of sitting and lounging, promoting a more relaxed lifestyle.
More on mid-century modern style
Jacobsen is known for designs that brought futuristic visions into a present-day context. His chair embodies the principles of Danish design, which is visually simple, functional and comfortable. Despite its clarity and minimalism, Danish furniture radiates a welcoming warmth through natural materials and organic forms.
The Egg chair also precedes 1960s furniture, which became even more sculptural. It facilitated different ways of sitting and lounging, promoting a more relaxed lifestyle.
More on mid-century modern style
HOW TO USE IT
As a living room chair
The Egg chair takes pride of place in any living space, commanding attention and almost commandeering the space that surrounds it – the chair has wow factor to spare.
As a living room chair
The Egg chair takes pride of place in any living space, commanding attention and almost commandeering the space that surrounds it – the chair has wow factor to spare.
As a bedroom chair
The Egg is ideal in the bedroom. In it you can settle in with a good book or put your feet up and watch TV before bed.
Mid-century appeal in the bedroom
The Egg is ideal in the bedroom. In it you can settle in with a good book or put your feet up and watch TV before bed.
Mid-century appeal in the bedroom
As a nursery chair
The Egg is a popular chair for nurseries as its enveloping form is almost womb-like itself. Available in a great array of colours it will suit nearly any nursery colour palette.
Design a sophisticated nursery
The Egg is a popular chair for nurseries as its enveloping form is almost womb-like itself. Available in a great array of colours it will suit nearly any nursery colour palette.
Design a sophisticated nursery
As a home office chair
An Egg chair in the home office (or any office for that matter) will make an impression, whether it’s to up the style-factor or to boost the importance of the boss.
See these inspiring home office ideas
An Egg chair in the home office (or any office for that matter) will make an impression, whether it’s to up the style-factor or to boost the importance of the boss.
See these inspiring home office ideas
STYLES
Despite its unusual form, the Egg is at home in almost any style environment, from traditional to contemporary, and certainly Scandinavian. Here are a few bright, bold and eye-catching stand-outs that consider colour and form, be it contrasting or complementary.
Mid-century
In orange-red leather, there’s no missing this Egg chair against the blue rug and grey sofa. The lines are classic, understated and minimalist while the colour palette is mid-century.
Despite its unusual form, the Egg is at home in almost any style environment, from traditional to contemporary, and certainly Scandinavian. Here are a few bright, bold and eye-catching stand-outs that consider colour and form, be it contrasting or complementary.
Mid-century
In orange-red leather, there’s no missing this Egg chair against the blue rug and grey sofa. The lines are classic, understated and minimalist while the colour palette is mid-century.
1960s-’70s pop
This colour palette recalls a 1960s or even 1970s colour scheme with usually contrasting colours being used to somehow add harmony. The form of the bright yellow Egg chair finds its complement in the the circles on the wall and rug.
Tips for creative kids’ rooms
This colour palette recalls a 1960s or even 1970s colour scheme with usually contrasting colours being used to somehow add harmony. The form of the bright yellow Egg chair finds its complement in the the circles on the wall and rug.
Tips for creative kids’ rooms
Contemporary
Splashes of red and orange in the rug tie this scarlet Egg to a contemporary room, which is otherwise neutral with grey stone, glass, and clean lines.
Decorating with rugs
Splashes of red and orange in the rug tie this scarlet Egg to a contemporary room, which is otherwise neutral with grey stone, glass, and clean lines.
Decorating with rugs
Eclectic
Teal is the colour of the day in this eclectic room. The Egg pops against a soft grey and cream background laced with light pink flowers and teal blue butterflys.
Teal is the colour of the day in this eclectic room. The Egg pops against a soft grey and cream background laced with light pink flowers and teal blue butterflys.
Moroccan
This dark and luxurious interior blends forms and textures. Glossy black walls provide a deep background for a stunning rug, cream sofa and plush cream Egg chair.
This dark and luxurious interior blends forms and textures. Glossy black walls provide a deep background for a stunning rug, cream sofa and plush cream Egg chair.
WHERE TO BUY
Egg chairs can be purchased new or secondhand. Whether your Egg chair is genuine or a copy will greatly affect the price.
Secondhand or vintage
Egg chairs can be purchased new or secondhand. Whether your Egg chair is genuine or a copy will greatly affect the price.
Secondhand or vintage
- For a secondhand or vintage Egg chair, contact a Scandinavian furniture importer or vintage store. They may have one in stock or can source one for you. They should only be sourcing the genuine Egg chair produced by Fritz Hansen and the price you pay will reflect this. If the existing upholstery isn’t your style or needs replacing, you can have it reupholstered.
- Keep an eye on auction houses, auction websites, and secondhand furniture sellers. If the price tag is hefty, be sure you are buying a genuine Egg chair and not a replica.
New
A loophole in Australia’s Intellectual Property law means that it is the only western country in which classic chairs (and furniture) that have fallen out of copyright, at least in Australia, can be legally manufactured without license. These will be labelled ‘replica’ and cost less than the genuine article. Replicas enable a greater number of people to access and enjoy good design (or the aesthetics of good design), however copying designers and manufacturers’ work does diminish the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
TELL US
Do you have an Egg chair? Upload a picture to the Comments section.
MORE
Herman Miller and the Icons of Mid-Century Design Explained
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- You can purchase a brand-spanking new (and genuine) Egg chair from Fritz Hansen or a Fritz Hansen reseller.
- You can buy a replica or knock-off from furniture sellers in Australia. Replicas are not made to the same design specifications as the original, and quality, construction, proportions, and materials – among other things – may differ.
A loophole in Australia’s Intellectual Property law means that it is the only western country in which classic chairs (and furniture) that have fallen out of copyright, at least in Australia, can be legally manufactured without license. These will be labelled ‘replica’ and cost less than the genuine article. Replicas enable a greater number of people to access and enjoy good design (or the aesthetics of good design), however copying designers and manufacturers’ work does diminish the capabilities and innovation of the design community as a whole.
TELL US
Do you have an Egg chair? Upload a picture to the Comments section.
MORE
Herman Miller and the Icons of Mid-Century Design Explained
Designer Dining Chairs You Need to Know About
The Making of an Icon: George Nelson’s Coconut Chair
Arne Jacobsen is acknowledged as one of the grandfathers of 20th-century Danish design and is best remembered for his architecture and products that contribute to a total integrated work.
For Jacobsen, proportion was fundamental and essential to beauty. He combined modernist ideals with the organic forms and materials of the Scandinavian environment, and sought to create beautiful and useful everyday objects.